WA Labor MP Anne Aly claims that a letter from the Egyptian embassy regarding her citizenship has “put the matter to rest" following concerns surrounding her eligibility for parliament.
WA Labor MP Anne Aly has released a letter from the Egyptian embassy regarding her citizenship that she said “put the matter to rest" following concerns surrounding her eligibility for parliament.
Dr Aly cancelled her Egyptian citizenship a month before the close of nominations in 2016.
The Egyptian embassy has confirmed Dr Aly relinquished her dual citizenship on May 6 in 2016
Earlier, opposition leader Bill Shorten had told Dr Aly - a first term MP representing the electorate of Cowan in Perth's northern suburbs - to reconfirm her advice from the embassy.
"She will have to make that public," Mr Shorten told reporters in Canberra on Friday.
The news comes after Fremantle MP Josh Wilson was one of four MPs who resigned earlier this week following a High Court ruling that removed Labor senator Katy Gallagher from parliament.
Federal Perth MP Tim Hammond also announced his resignation last week, while state Labor MP Barry Urban quit on Tuesday after a parliamentary inquiry recommended his expulsion.
Earlier, Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese took an embarrassing trip down memory lane as the opposition prepares for a host of by-elections in the wake of the dual citizenship saga.
Mr Albanese for months "categorically" insisted his party had rigorous vetting checks and there were no dual citizens in its ranks.
He was forced to revisit those assurances on Friday, after four Labor members were flushed out of federal parliament due to their foreign ties.
"Well, it's regrettable that it's happening. The High Court have made their decision. We have accepted their decision," Mr Albanese told the Nine Network.
"We have accepted the umpire's judgment and we are getting on with the business now of making sure those MPs return, to continue to make a contribution for their electorate and make a contribution here in Canberra."
The coalition is aiming to increase its wafer-thin majority by winning back the South Australian seat of Mayo, which it lost at the last election.
Georgina Downer is being tipped to run in the seat her father, former foreign minister Alexander Downer, held from 1984 to 2008.
Labor's Susan Lamb and Justine Keay also quit their lower house seats on Thursday following the High Court decision to disqualify their caucus colleague Katy Gallagher.
Ms Sharkie formally resigned on Friday morning.
They are now facing by-elections to be held in a 'Super Saturday' poll as early as June 16.
Mr Shorten argues the by-elections are a battle between the coalition's corporate tax cuts and the opposition's plans for bigger personal income tax relief.
